Arsenal FC are looking to sign left-back Ryan Bertrand from EPL rivals Southampton as the Saints player is nearing the end of his contract, according to Goal.
The report claims: “Arsenal are interested in signing Ryan Bertrand, Goal can confirm.
“The Gunners are looking at options in the left-back area having allowed Sead Kolasinac to join Schalke on loan for the remainder of the season.
“The Gunners view the experienced Bertrand as an ideal candidate to potentially boost their options ahead of the second half of the campaign.
“Goal can confirm that Arsenal are keeping close tabs on the situation and contact has been made with the former Chelsea defender’s representatives about a possible switch to north London.”
Will Bertrand give up hopes of a top-four EPL finish with the Saints?
Ryan Bertrand has close to six months left on the current deal with the Saints and as per the latest reports, he does not want to put pen on paper to a new deal at the club.
During the 2020-21 season, the 31-year-old has played in 17 EPL matches for Southampton and Hasenhuttl is desperate to hold onto him.
Arsenal have identified Bertrand as the backup to Kieran Tierney and this is something which could work against the Gunners trying to sign the former Chelsea man.
For the Saints, Bertrand is a regular first-team starter but if he moves to Arsenal this month then he will have to play second fiddle to Tierney since the Scott has been in peak form this campaign.
Also, if the left-back chooses to remain with Southampton and sign a new deal then he has a better chance of finishing in the top-four of the EPL given that Arsenal have been really inconsistent this season.
Eventually, in the near future it will be beneficial for Ryan Bertrand to remain with the Saints but if Arsenal can guarantee his Champions League football soon enough then we don’t see why the 31-year-old will move out of the St Mary’s this month and join the North London side – given the fact that he’s willing to play second fiddle to Kieran Tierney.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s FA Cup clash on Saturday, manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that they are on the lookout for a left-back this month.
“The option is open and we will look to see what is available,” said the Arsenal boss. “With the departure of Kola, we are a little bit short with left-footed full-backs at the moment.
“We know we can use Ainsley [Maitland-Niles] there, we can use Bukayo [Saka] there and we can use Cedric [Soares] – who has played in that position – so we have some options. A natural option to Kieran? Obviously we don’t, but we can adapt.”
